107: Barber Deep Dive: Barbers No.1 Jord Roberts

Welcome back to our Deep Dive limited series exploring the true stories behind the industry's biggest names. In this episode, we sit down with Jord Roberts, the Brand Director of BarbersNo1. From starting as an unsure apprentice 14 years ago to overseeing a brand with 16 locations and three training academies, Jord’s journey is the ultimate blueprint for career growth within a large company.


Jord opens up about his "best failure" - being denied a job after his first apprenticeship - and how that setback fueled his drive to find a company with a bigger vision. He discusses the early days of BarbersNo1, when they were just a five-man team pioneering the "neon light and DJ" shop vibe in Liverpool, long before it became an industry standard. Jord reveals the mindset required to scale, explaining why he stayed loyal to the brand instead of opening his own studio: "I’d much rather be a part of something bigger... the growth opportunities are endless"


We also go behind the scenes of Jord’s high-profile clientele. He shares the legendary story of how a trainee running out to a car at a red light led to an 8-year relationship with Liverpool's elite players, eventually taking Jord to Brazil national team camps to cut Neymar and the world's biggest stars. Whether you’re an apprentice or a shop owner, this episode is a masterclass in professional management, building local culture and the power of traditional employment in a modern world.